The end of anonymity

  Isn't it creepy that your phone can remember everywhere you've gone within the week when you can barely remember what day it is? iOS7 has a setting called "Frequent Locations" which is turned on by default. This setting tracks everywhere you've gone including the time, date and address. The setting then stores your information deep in the phone, where it's hard to find and delete. I understand if a user decided to turn this feature on however I don't think it should have been a default setting (because of privacy). "So, how do you turn it off? For that, you’re going to have to dig deep into the settings menu. To be specific, Settings > Privacy > Location Services > scroll all the way down to the bottom > System Services (an utterly unhelpful description that I would never have clicked without learning that I needed to) > scroll to the bottom again > Frequent Locations > switch the option to off."-(http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/apple-your-ios-7-privacy-settings-are-a-mess/) That's a lot of over-complicated steps to swipe an "off" button. My point is....if this "frequent locations" setting has been turned on behind consumers backs, then what else is out there that is tracking our every move? Can anyone go anywhere without leaving a digital footprint? Have phones become a personal tracking device? Being anonymous has become the new "mission impossible".
-M&M

For shame, game developers! BE BETTER!

Ok people. It's time to talk about this. This is the new game in the Pokemon series. It will be for iPhone and you can purchase attacks and lives for $99 a piece.

Now think about this. Everything I said in that last paragraph was true except that it's not a Pokemon game. And this game did actually exist! This is a prime example of exploitation to the max. Super Monster Bros. was a free iPhone game in the app store. Now if you've ever gotten an app from the app store, you'll know there are these things called "in-app purchases". Basically DLC. A lot of apps make use of these micro-transactions to sell additional content. How easy would it be to exploit that? It's pretty easy to miss that Purchase button and accidentally buy one hundred dollars isn't it? iPhone screens are pretty small compared to my fat thumbs. This brings me to the culprit.

EXHIBIT A!

This comes up on the first screen. If you try to pick any of the other characters (which look suspiciously like Pokemon) or if you try to pick any stage other than level 1-1, you will be prompted to buy the "Unlock All" package for over $100! I could spend days saying how outrageously expensive this is for an iPhone game. Especially one of this quality. Seriously. It's a Charmander. THEY DIDN'T EVEN TRYYYYYYY. HEUUNNGGGGGHH. THE GERSHDERN LEVELS LOOK LIKE MARIO!!! DYUUUEEEEEHHH!!... Okay so if you press any button on this screen other than Charmander or Level 1, you might accidentally buy $109.99 worth of DLC garbage. There's more to this but I'll get to that with...

EXHIBIT B!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I found a picture of the Top In App Purchases from iTunes for this game before it was removed. It's pretty clear from the bright colours and cartoony...ness and the fact that the characters look like Pokemon that this game was targeted at children. Having "Adventure Time" in the title would make it come up in a search for someone who was maybe looking for a legitimate "Adventure Time" game. Combine this with a child who doesn't understand the concept of money and their parent's iPhone linked with a credit card, and you're looking at a big fat cash-grab. Seriously most of those in-app purchases are over $50 each. I can't even... why would someone... whyyyy.....


The game has been removed from the app store, so don't worry. Not because of the exploitation factor, but because of copyright infringement... yeah. So now they have another game out. Pretty much the same thing, but with somewhat original characters. Great. I think this sort of speaks to the state of mobile gaming today. I'll stick with my 3DS thank you.

I give this garbage negative 1,000,000 out of (if you would like to see the rest of this rating, please purchase the "Review Package" for $49.99. Insert Credit Card number here __________________)

If you want to see the game in action, check out this video by IGN:
iPhone Garbage: Super Monster Bros by Adventure Time Pocket Free Games

I'm not sourcing those money-stealing jerks. But I did learn more about them from here:
http://www.cnet.com.au/super-monster-bros-is-the-worst-mobile-game-cash-grab-weve-seen-339344090.htm

-Muca

The Twitter takeover

The polls show that yes,.....the most popular social networking site amongst teens is Twitter! Studies show that 26% of U.S teens prefer Twitter as their social networking site, compared to Facebook and Instagram which tied for 23% (each). So why is this? “The key is that there are fewer adults, fewer parents and just simply less complexity and less drama,” [says] Amanda Lenhart of the Pew Research Center, one of the study’s authors. “[Teens] still have their Facebook profiles, but they spend less time on them and move to places like Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr.” Type in "Facebook losing popularity" and you will find TONS of articles. The fact is, people are starting to think of Facebook as a chore, an almost mandatory requirement ( well more of a "unwritten" social rule). This mindset is leading teens to Twitter, where they won't have to "friend" mom and dad, or deal with never ending Facebook drama. Personally, I haven't jumped on the Twitter bandwagon, but I can understand why so many people have. On Twitter, you can connect with your favorite celebrities and brands...it's more personal, yet less formal than Facebook. As Facebook's popularity continues to decrease, and Twitter's continues to rise I have to ask myself....will Twitter become the new Facebook?-M&M

Nudder new poll. dyuh tweh... EHHHHH

Hey guys hey, it's time for another poll.  In our last poll, Twitter was the winner!  Yay. Yay. Yay. But this bean has only napped for 20 mins this morning and therefore must crash and burn into the desktop pixels.  Fare thee well.  Muca will take good care of you, I'm sure.(I'm tired so Muca is going to take over from here beans *passes out*)

Hey it's me Muca in red. Our next poll will be by the Bean herself! When she wakes up... Also I'm tired I don't know why I agreed to do this. It'll be about art probably. Again, when she wakes up you guys. Calm down, brosephson. nyeh, buhhhhh, dsnfja  sorry my head just fell on my keyboard. Ok! Till next time! And when the poll comes out too. Probably soon... maybe.

OKay I'm up, jfdkls, so the poll will be art related. yes good. Can you feel the art tonight.. today.. sorry.  Still out of it, but let this not hinder the talk of art that is to soon come to fruition.  No more time awastin' lettuce debate [NICELY TALK] about graphics in video gaming.   

Superior graphics: 

The Last of Us

Assassin's Creed 4

GTA V

or 

Infamous Second Son

All potential game of the years, all stunning graphics.  That some poor bloke had poured blood, sweat, and tears into.  But which bloke cried more, who bled more, WHO MADE THE BEST GRASS GRAPHICS? 

Who is...... the best?

The best of the best, the elite four, the winner amongst winners. 

If you have another candidate to suggest, leave it in the comments below.
Be nice children.

(BTW, we are well aware that AC4 and the other one aren't out yet. How about we base it on these pictures huh??)
Until then, bean it out.

 - Bean, Muca

[disclaimer]  None of the images above are ours.